“I’m not sure what I’m going to do next.”
“Are you talking about art or Grace Moore?”
“How did she get into this conversation?”
“Is that what we’re having? A conversation?”
Roman got up and went to the wall. Half-sitting, he looked back at Jasper. He shouldn’t have called Grace that night. He shouldn’t have laughed at her. “I think I’ve painted myself into a corner.”
“How do you mean?”
“I paint what sells. That doesn’t mean I like it.”
“The work or the money?”
Roman stood, angry. “Can we have one conversation when you’re not asking me a bunch of questions?”
“It’s the only way I can get you to talk. I’m not here to tell you what to do.”
Roman gave a hard laugh. “You’ve been sticking your nose in since the day I met you.”
“You were a ward of the court and a royal pain when you arrived at the ranch, but we knew you were something special. Your art was a cry for help.”
“I was hoping to get kicked out.”
“Sit down, son. You’re making me nervous.” Jasper waited until he did. “You had something to say back then. You just stopped talking.”
“Graffiti doesn’t pay very well.”
“True. And it could land you in jail.” Jasper drank half of his coffee. “But that isn’t stopping you. The supplies in your studio, that back wall with a coat of fresh paint tell me that.” Jasper set the mug down. “You went out again last night.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Roman had dealt with his emotions the way he always did. He filled a pack and headed for the city. He drove around for an hour before returning to the house, where he blasted the back wall of his studio.
“Graffiti was always your go-to medium when you were stressed. What’s bugging you these days?”
Roman didn’t duck and parry with Jasper this time. “I like the adrenaline rush. It beats putting a fist through a wall.”
“You weren’t angry, Bobby Ray. You were burning up with jealousy. You didn’t like seeing Grace with another man.”
Roman wanted to deny it. “It’s none of my business who she’s with. She works for me. That’s it.”
“Why don’t you try getting to know Grace Moore as a person and not just an employee? I barely know the girl, and I like her.”
“She has more walls than I do.”
“All the more reason to find out what’s behind them. Just don’t bust through or try to climb over. Look for a gate. When you find it, knock; don’t pound.” He smiled slightly. “And wait.”
“I’ve never had to wait before.”
“If sex is the only thing you want, leave her alone. Grace isn’t the kind of girl who hooks up with a guy and won’t care when he walks away.”
The door of the guest cottage opened, and Grace came outside and walked over. “Good morning.” She smiled at Jasper. “I was hoping I wouldn’t miss you before you headed home.”
“I wouldn’t have left without saying good-bye.” He rose.
Roman stayed seated while Jasper gave Grace a fatherly hug. Since when had they gotten so chummy?
“It was nice meeting you, Jasper. I hope I’ll see you again.”
“You will.” He grinned over his shoulder at Roman. “Unless our friend moves again and leaves no forwarding address.”
They talked for a few minutes, and then Grace turned to go into the house. “I’d better get to work or the boss will fire me.”
Jasper looked at Roman with a raised brow. “And I’d better hit the road, or he won’t lay out the welcome mat next time.”
Roman followed them inside. Jasper headed for the guest room to collect his suitcase. Roman stood at the breakfast bar, watching Grace rinse the plates and put them in the dishwasher. “You’re still mad at me.”
“I was furious, but I’m over it.” She closed the dishwasher firmly and straightened. “Now that I know I live next door to a Peeping Tom, I’ll be more careful.”
“I wasn’t looking in your windows. You were standing right out in the open.”
“An apology would be nice.”
He’d never apologized to anyone in his life and wasn’t about to start now. “Let’s call it an error in judgment.”
She rolled her eyes and headed for the office.
After Jasper left, Roman had nothing to do. He didn’t feel like sketching or painting. When the phone rang, he made it an excuse to check in with Grace. She didn’t look at him standing in the doorway. She was still on the phone. Prince Charming? She glanced at him, wrote a quick note, and held it out. Talia. Do you want the numbers? He shrugged. “He’s right here.” She handed him the phone.